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Late Model Automatic

J

jackyche

Registered Member
Joined
14 September 2008
Messages
11
Ok, first off, I don't know how to drive manual. I'm willing to learn, I love driving so its not a big deal. Just lazy.

So ..... there's a nice late model NSX with low miles that I'm considering. Its .. gasp... an automatic. Very rare obviously. Price is good though.

Am I a retard for considering an auto? If I'm not mistaken, and please correct me if I'm wrong, its a 4-speed and only 250hp versus 280hp for manual.

Ok, flame away!
 
I believe you should do what would makes you happy. It's your car. Why do you care what other people think? I owned a five speed and a six speed. The first NSX I drove was an automatic paddle shifter. It was a blast. Often when driving up and down the hills of San Francisco or being stuck on the 101, I wish I had an automatic. Again, It's your car. Do what's best for you.

Good luck.
 
jackyche said:
Ok, first off, I don't know how to drive manual. I'm willing to learn, I love driving so its not a big deal. Just lazy.

So ..... there's a nice late model NSX with low miles that I'm considering. Its .. gasp... an automatic. Very rare obviously. Price is good though.

Am I a retard for considering an auto? If I'm not mistaken, and please correct me if I'm wrong, its a 4-speed and only 250hp versus 280hp for manual.

Ok, flame away!
Click to expand...

Just to clarify... the auto always has the 3.0L engine at 252HP. The pre 97 (NA1) manual is a 5 speed that makes 270HP out of the same 3.0L engine because of higher redline. The 97+ NA2 makes 290HP out of the 3.2L paired with a 6 speed.

Ive owned two autos and now own a 6 speed (modified). The auto isnt horrible, but it doesnt seem to defeat the purpose of owning the NSX. Its a really personal choice though. Ive owned a mix of auto and manual sports cars over the years, so I can see both sides of it.
 
OK

I have an auto, been driving it in Dallas traffic for 7+ years and still love it.
Actually, that's why I seldom drive my motorcycle,,, too much traffic => less fun.

I've driven a ton of manual trans and just can't imagine having the desire to take it out in city traffic. IF..... I lived in a less dense city/traffic, then a stick may make sense for me. however, I can still chirp second gear while holding a cup of coffee in one hand. So, even though an auto is a tad less power, they've tweaked the torque curve for the auto and it's a smooth and enjoyable drive. The auto shifts very hard when going through the gears manually, so don't think it's like driving a chevy with a powerglide. It really depends on what you want.. want to go faster for less money... get a used z06....

Drive both...settle for what you like ..but do not, pass up the auto just because most folks on this forum turn their noses up at it.

Either way, the NSX is the very best balance of sport, reliability, class and timeless motoring all rolled up in a tidy package. It's a win/win which ever choice you make. Good luck.

TD
 
An automatic NSX is more fun to drive than most cars, but is it more fun to drive than a manual NSX? No. To answer your question, the automatic is limited to 252 hp and uses the 3.0L C30 engine for ALL years 1991-2005. The engine uses less agressive cams to lower the power and has a lower rev limit. It will be noticeably less responsive than the manual due to the power and the taller gears in the 4-speed. A late model auto (2002+) is probably the best of all automatics to own however, since you get all of the little form and functionality updates Honda made to the NSX.

As noted above, the auto WILL be more difficult to sell if you ever want to get rid of it. And, if you do sell it, you will get less money than you would for a manual car of the same year. But, it will be a lot nicer in traffic, so if you use it for a daily driver/commute car, maybe it is the best option.
 
Honcho said:
An automatic NSX is more fun to drive than most cars, but is it more fun to drive than a manual NSX? No. To answer your question, the automatic is limited to 252 hp and uses the 3.0L C30 engine for ALL years 1991-2005. The engine uses less agressive cams to lower the power and has a lower rev limit. It will be noticeably less responsive than the manual due to the power and the taller gears in the 4-speed. A late model auto (2002+) is probably the best of all automatics to own however, since you get all of the little form and functionality updates Honda made to the NSX.

As noted above, the auto WILL be more difficult to sell if you ever want to get rid of it. And, if you do sell it, you will get less money than you would for a manual car of the same year. But, it will be a lot nicer in traffic, so if you use it for a daily driver/commute car, maybe it is the best option.
Click to expand...



Well said. with regards to resale, it's finding the buyer that could take longer, I wouldn't worry about resale price... that's not why you're buying it anyway.

Actually, it's fun to put it in manual mode and let it fly, the computer will automatically shift from first to second for you when it hits redline...

If I had more money than sense, I'd love to do a level one tranny option with a Comptech or even Turbo... oh-well... "a boy can have his dreams, can't he?":smile:
 
If you don't want to drive manual, that's one thing, but if you're worried about breaking the car, constantly stalling and ticking people off, or jerking it around because you've never done it before, it's probably not as hard as you think. Plus, whenever I go back to my Accord (an auto), I find it's just... well, boring. Shifting becomes second nature. Actually, it was really easy for me to learn since I bought the car in Florida and drove it back to Texas... nice and flat.

I've had my NSX for a month now (it's the first manual I've ever owned) and it's going splendidly. Yeah, I still stall it and miss shifts occasionally, but don't worry about the idiot behind you who keeps honking. In fact, just turn the engine off and sit there for a few min! He'll figure it out (he can't be in THAT big a rush) and you'll get better with experience.

If you need a tutorial on how to drive stick, try the Car Talk guys - they've got a good primer at http://www.cartalk.com/content/stick-shift/index.html (someone let me know if I didn't post that link right...)

So no, you're not an idiot for wanting the automatic, but don't give up on the manual without trying it. See if you can find a nice friend who'd be willing to give you some experience on their old beater.

Alright everyone, feel free to flame my opinion as well!

jackyche said:
Ok, first off, I don't know how to drive manual. I'm willing to learn, I love driving so its not a big deal. Just lazy.

So ..... there's a nice late model NSX with low miles that I'm considering. Its .. gasp... an automatic. Very rare obviously. Price is good though.

Am I a retard for considering an auto? If I'm not mistaken, and please correct me if I'm wrong, its a 4-speed and only 250hp versus 280hp for manual.

Ok, flame away!
Click to expand...
 
For me it's pretty pointless buying a late model NSX automatic. They are similar in price to NA2 manuals, but they are essential the same car as the 1991 model. You will have way more fun with an NA2 manual for the same price.

The NSX shifter is very easy to use and completely friendly. I wouldn't suggest learning to drive a manual using an NSX - try to find a friend to teach you on a beater - but once you know how jumping into the NSX will be a very smooth transition.
 
Buy what makes you happy. This includes not worrying about selling price. you will enjoy the car more. I have an AT, no complaints, not a track nut, occasional mountain runs, mostly cruising for weekends. Car works juuuust fine for me. :biggrin:
 
If you enjoy automatics then I would just go ahead and get it, if it is a nice car.

An AT NSX will still be a beautiful car. It won't have the performance of the manual transmission cars.... but for the most part there are few places that have speed limits higher than 75 MPH.

I think an AT NSX would make a nice cruising car.

The Manual Transmissions aren't that hard to learn. Once you get the hang of them, you don't really even think about shifting.

As for resale, I would think the depreciation shouldn't be that much from here on out. The late models have more room to fall than the older ones IMO.

I believe with the price of new Camaro's, Challengers, Mustangs, etc. in the upper $20k's and $30k's or more, that a nice NSX should hold it's price fairly well. They are still very exotic and classy cars and if you want performance to match current cars there is always SC and Turbo.

But if you are just looking for a nice ride to cruise around and enjoy, I don't see the AT NSX as a very bad choice.

It is a performance car and as such the MT is more desirable for most.

I myself was looking for an AT NSX originally, mostly so my wife who doesn't drive and doesn't want to drive a MT could drive it if she wanted. But she told me no way, no how, on a car like the NSX. It had to be a manual. Ah, just another reason I love her so much. :biggrin:

Keep us posted on what you decide... and post pictures when you get one. :cool:
 
That car is interesting. I wonder what its performance would be like with the Comptech Supercharger?

I drove a Prime members 2004 automatic NSX and it was great. I wouldn't hesitate getting one if it was used as a daily and in traffic. Nothing worse than a manual in city traffic.
 
As others have said- get what you want. An automatic is harder to sell but they're cheaper to buy and it is less likely that they've been hot rodded too!

Now as to the comment of "go ahead and learn how to drive a manual - shouldn't take you but 20 minutes to get the hang or it" something like that - BULLSHIT!

I've been driving sticks since I was 15 - learned on a stick and believe me - it's not that easy to learn how to drive one PROPERLY! Lots of clutches of NSXs getting replaced at rediculously low miles and why do you think that is???? It's because someone's been driving it that didn't know how to properly drive one and buying clutches for the NSX - ESPECIALLY the NA2 - is about 5 grand if you buy the flywheel to replace - so again I say BS to that silly comment. I drive a stick the way one would drive that is intent on having his "new" clutch, as i replaced it in my 45k mile car and it was the 3rd one replaced - starting to get the picture, that is expecting it to last 100k miles and by the way they will if driven properly!

An NSX is not the car to learn on!!!!! Buy a cheap one and get the hang of it and then sell it and then buy a manual - that is after you've been checked out and REALLY know what you're doing.

So buy the automatic with the SC but have that automatic tranny checked out before you do if it's the one with the SC. Those cars have less hp for a reason and the guy that put the SC in it may have FOUND that out and now the tranny is slipping or in bad shape cause it's been overstressed with too much power. All I'm saying is make sure it's ok - not just kind of ok - cause I'm sure it's not cheap to fix those things!

The NSX is fun - driving a manual tranny is fun - but the new DFI 911 can be bought with an automatic manual - or PDK and that is what their test driver - the famous Walter Rohl - opted for in his new Turbo - so don't be ashamed to have an automatic - cause believe me in another 10 years they won't be making manuals or they will be limited maybe more years but they are going the way of the DODO bird! Extinction! All our classic cars will be the only ones with manuals in the future. Let's hope we can get parts for a long time....

Enjoy the car for what it is and have fun!
 
tbromley said:
...buying clutches for the NSX - ESPECIALLY the NA2 - is about 5 grand if you buy the flywheel to replace
Click to expand...


$5000? That is not true...a single disc by RPS/SOS is about $1700 and a dual about $2400.

I do agree with tbromley about automatics though, they aren't easy or cheap to fix.
 
You should not let fear of driving a manual affect your decision of an NSX....you should learn to drive manual, then decide if you want Auto or Manual. Once you learn manual its easy as driving an auto, except more rewarding and NSX-ish
 
MT is the way to go, don't be intimidated with the clutch etc. I am sure that if you relax, get a nice location, have a good state of mind, you will learn right away.

I was so obsessed with the whole car mechanics that when I was 9 on the country side, my grandpa let me drive/teached me how to on his Toyota Land Cruiser (he took me to his work trips, he was an engineer working on oil pipes and such in remote parts of South America)

abuelo_jeep1986.jpg


Actually is exactly the one on the picture above, it took me 0 seconds to learn (he didn't let me go over 2nd gear though, I didn't stall or anything, he made me stop and try again, and again, and again ... and I didn't stall LOL .... as soon we got back in to the camp, he started to show off to his other colleges this 9 year old kid driving a Jeep LOL

in South America 98% of the cars are MT, my daughter will learn a MT, her first car will be MT.

Nowadays AT = Coffee, texting, googling, eating ... that is not good in most cases.
 
FelonyRuckus said:
$5000? That is not true...a single disc by RPS/SOS is about $1700 and a dual about $2400.

I do agree with tbromley about automatics though, they aren't easy or cheap to fix.
Click to expand...

Depends on who does the work and if you have to replace the flywheel - You are quoting parts costs at 1700 not parts and labor and that is around 2200 to 2400 and then the flywheel is an additional 2000 - check it out. I have with our independant here in Atlanta - a great resource to us NSX owners here. I think you'll find that I'm a lot closer to the costs than the 1700 you mention. The NA1 is 2400 and that includes the flywheel.

The clutch replacement in the NA2 is one of the big repairs! I have no idea what the automatic trannies are like but I've heard they are great transmissions but slam an addition 100 hp on it and that may have an impact....?
 
Driving manuals is not that hard to learn and if you live in a relatively flat town - no sweat. You get here in Atlanta with hills at stop lights and it can be scary - that is untill you learn a few things. Learning how to drive a manual tranny is a good thing to do - all I'm saying is that wearing out clutches must be a big problem or there wouldn't be so many replacing them at low mileages. It's easy to drive a stick poorley while wearing the clutch by using it as hill brake - like many do - I shutter to think how often that happens - all I have to say is that it is easy to burn up a clutch if you don't really understand how to work one.

Like I say - lot's of clutches getting replaced way before their time and I've read it many, many times right here on Prime - so it's obviously easy to drive em but it's not easy to preserve them! Takes a good teacher too!

Good luck with whatever you decide. But if I was learning how to drve a clutch - it wouldn't be on my new, to me, NSX.....:wink:
 
That was one which I'm considering. That particular one used to belong to Helijoe but I guess he sold it to Findlay Acura or something. It had a minor fender accident on record, which I called the bodyshop to confirm that it was indeed a minor accident.

Its got the Comptech SC and Helijoe was concerned the extra power would mess up the tranny based on his previous posts here.


ImolaOrange03 said:
Is this the late model NSX with A/T you were referring to?
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140282

This one comes with Comptech S/C and quite a few other add-ons. Only 12,000+ miles too. I would say this would be the one to get for sure.
Click to expand...
 
tbromley said:
Depends on who does the work and if you have to replace the flywheel - You are quoting parts costs at 1700 not parts and labor and that is around 2200 to 2400 and then the flywheel is an additional 2000 - check it out.
Click to expand...

Checked it out...the flywheel comes with the clutch...

and yes labor depends on where you go, I'm lucky to have a guy that is amazing and relatively cheap...SOS single plate installed was $2200.

instantly a better car...

yeah, the auto tranny doesn't hold power very well and shifts so harsh!
 
Like Tim mentioned, it appears there have been lots of low mile NSX's with their clutches having to be replaced...

When I purchased 91 NSX at 38,500 miles the previous owner had just replaced the clutch at 37,750. That sure seemed like low miles to me.

My DD has 73k miles on it with the original clutch and still working great.

I suspect my NSX should get similar results with it's clutch with me driving it. I guess time will tell.

People must be letting the clutch slip or have their foot ride the clutch pedal or something, since I know not all NSX's have to have their clutches replaced so rapidly.

Anyway, I wouldn't mind having a matching NSX with an AT for my wife to drive :eek:), but for us in the snow and such it isn't all that practical for a DD type car. And I sure can't afford to purchase another home because I need a larger garage. :smile:

Keep us posted.

-Rod
 
rbilder said:
My DD has 73k miles on it with the original clutch and still working great.

I suspect my NSX should get similar results with it's clutch with me driving it. I guess time will tell.
-Rod
Click to expand...

+1 ... bought mine with 58K miles, original clutch, now @ 78K still other than the slave cylinders replaced, my clutch still strong, I think only ONCE I miss shifted .. it happens, but I never go from 1st to 3rd or anything like it ...

Oscar
 

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